Brian had never shown much interest in growing. He was looking at gazebos - a place to enjoy the ponds and gardens on his property outside Chicago. Then he saw Nordwood and knew exactly where it would go.
He compared about five other options before coming back. The greenhouse had to do two jobs: grow plants and give him somewhere to enjoy the garden with other people.
“I’m just so proud of it” - Brian
Brian helped build the greenhouse with a contractor and worked on the surrounding pathways. He estimates he moved 25 tons of material into the area. When he posted the finished project on Facebook, that work was what he wanted to share.
“I didn’t do it to like, to show it off or anything like that. I’m just so proud of it because it took a lot of work.” - Brian
He was equally direct about what could have gone better. He wanted clearer communication about shipping, larger illustrations in the instructions, and easier identification of parts. His advice to the next owner: read the directions before preparing the site. He had been eager to get started and did some of that work first.
Making room for plants and people
Making the greenhouse comfortable took more than putting a table inside.
Brian says the temperature reached 120°F before he added shade. His setup now uses 50% shade cloth and outdoor fans, which he says made spending time inside much more comfortable.
Brian drew ideas from forums, Pinterest, and accessory websites, adapting them to his greenhouse. He also encouraged us to share more customer setups, from shade solutions to workstations.
Inside, the table and chairs sit alongside growing beds and flowers.
“For us, it’s a working greenhouse that has a lifestyle element to it.” - Brian
The setup is still evolving. At the time of our visit, Brian wasn’t heating it and hadn’t used it through snow. Winter use would mean clearing the path from the house as well as deciding whether to add heat.
Enjoying real emotions
Today, his wife has morning coffee there. Neighbors come over for weekly card games. His aunt has her own growing space. And Brian, at 52, has started growing things himself. All of this, made his mother proud.
“I would say that that was the best reaction for me.” - Brian
Explore the Nordwood Greenhouse
Thanks to Brian for sharing his story. Watch Brian explain why he’s proud of his greenhouse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a greenhouse double as an outdoor living space?
Yes. A greenhouse with enough room and the right setup can work as both a growing space and a place to spend time. Brian was originally shopping for a gazebo to enjoy the ponds and gardens on his property. He chose Nordwood because it could do both jobs. Today, growing beds and flowers share the space with a dining table, his wife has her morning coffee there, and neighbors come over for weekly card games. If you're planning a similar setup, think about seating, shade, and airflow from the start, not just growing space.
How do you keep a greenhouse from overheating in summer?
Combine shade with active airflow. A greenhouse is designed to trap heat, so without shading it can get uncomfortable fast. Brian's greenhouse reached 120°F before he added any shade. He now uses 50% shade cloth and outdoor fans, and he says that made spending time inside much more comfortable. This matters most if you plan to sit, work, or entertain in your greenhouse, not only grow in it.
What's the most important thing to do before preparing the site?
Read the assembly instructions from start to finish before you touch the ground. Site preparation affects everything that follows, and the instructions explain what the foundation needs to look like. Brian was eager to get started and did some of the site work before reading the directions. His advice to the next owner is simple: read first, then prepare.
